Hansen’s big night helps Cal knock off No. 11 Texas 50-43

Updated 7:37 am, Sunday, September 18, 2016

After he caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in the closing minute of the first half, Cal receiver Chad Hansen mockingly made a Texas’ “Hook ’em Horns” sign and then turned the horns upside down.

Hansen earned the right to be that brash by having a career-defining performance Saturday night that helped the Bears upset No. 11 Texas in a highly entertaining shootout that went down to the wire for Cal’s 50-43 victory.

Hansen, who is finally on scholarship as a senior, had 12 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns, including a 12-yarder that put the Bears ahead 50-43 with 3:41 remaining in their home opener.

The drama didn’t end there, though. After forcing the Longhorns to punt on their ensuing possession, the Bears appeared to put the game away when running back Vic Enwere broke free for an apparent 55-yard touchdown ramble. But Enwere dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, and the play was reviewed. Officials ruled that there was no immediate recovery and gave Cal the ball at the 1-yard line and the Bears were able to run out the clock.

Cal hadn’t beaten a top-11 team since knocking off Oregon on the road in 2007, but the Bears did their parts in participating in what should be called “Shakeup Saturday.” Seven top-25 teams lost, including a Texas team that never could have seen this coming at Memorial Stadium.

The Longhorns outscored Cal 155-25 in the teams’ first five meetings, including their last visit to Strawberry Canyon in 1969. If the Bears’ win in Austin last season was a confidence builder, this victory could have even more enormous implications for the program.

It definitely got the attention of schools around the Pac-12. Conference plays starts for Cal next week against Utah for Cal, and it probably got the attention of the nation, which watched the Bears’ defense do just enough to give the offense a chance.

Wide receiver Chad Hansen #6 of the California Golden Bears catches a pass for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

Wide receiver Chad Hansen #6 of the California Golden Bears catches a pass for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. (Photo by ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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Wide receiver Melquise Stovall #1 of the California Golden Bears scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first half on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

Wide receiver Melquise Stovall #1 of the California Golden Bears scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first half on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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Wide receiver Melquise Stovall #1 of the California Golden Bears celebrates a touchdown with running back Khalfani Muhammad #29 and wide receiver Demetris Robertson #8 against the Texas Longhorns in the first half on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

Wide receiver Melquise Stovall #1 of the California Golden Bears celebrates a touchdown with running back Khalfani Muhammad #29 and wide receiver Demetris Robertson #8 against the Texas Longhorns in the first ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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Cornerback Chibuzo Nwokocha #16 of the California Golden Bears intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Collin Johnson #9 of the Texas Longhorns on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

Cornerback Chibuzo Nwokocha #16 of the California Golden Bears intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Collin Johnson #9 of the Texas Longhorns on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes, right, runs against California's Luke Rubenzer during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes, right, runs against California's Luke Rubenzer during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Outside linebacker Malcolm Roach #32 of the Texas Longhorns sacks quarterback Davis Webb #7 of the California Golden Bears in the second quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Outside linebacker Malcolm Roach #32 of the Texas Longhorns sacks quarterback Davis Webb #7 of the California Golden Bears in the second quarter on September 17, 2016 at California ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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California's Jordan Veasy, left, celebrates with Demetris Robertson after scoring a touchdown against Texas during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less

California's Jordan Veasy, left, celebrates with Demetris Robertson after scoring a touchdown against Texas during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Berkeley, ... more

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

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Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (18) passes against California during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (18) passes against California during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive back Brandon Jones #19 of the Texas Longhorns blocks a punt by Dylan Klumph #42 of the California Golden Bears for a safety in the second quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive back Brandon Jones #19 of the Texas Longhorns blocks a punt by Dylan Klumph #42 of the California Golden Bears for a safety in the second quarter on September 17, 2016 at ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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Texas running back Chris Warren III (25) runs for a touchdown between California's Josh Drayden, left, and Raymond Davison (31) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less

Texas running back Chris Warren III (25) runs for a touchdown between California's Josh Drayden, left, and Raymond Davison (31) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, ... more

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Davis Webb #7 of the California Golden Bears throws against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Davis Webb #7 of the California Golden Bears throws against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Chad Hansen #6 of the California Golden Bears scores on a two-point conversion against cornerback John Bonney #24 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Chad Hansen #6 of the California Golden Bears scores on a two-point conversion against cornerback John Bonney #24 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter on ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Davis Webb #7 of the California Golden Bears celebrates a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first half on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Davis Webb #7 of the California Golden Bears celebrates a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the first half on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Chad Hansen #6 of the California Golden Bears celebrates a two-point conversion against the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Chad Hansen #6 of the California Golden Bears celebrates a two-point conversion against the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter on September 17, 2016 at California ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Davis Webb #7 of the California Golden Bears celebrates the first touchdown of the game against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Davis Webb #7 of the California Golden Bears celebrates the first touchdown of the game against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter on September 17, 2016 at ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Chad Hansen #6 of the California Golden Bears scores on a two-point conversion against cornerback John Bonney #24 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Chad Hansen #6 of the California Golden Bears scores on a two-point conversion against cornerback John Bonney #24 of the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter on ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Vince Young of the Texas Longhorns watches from the sidelines before a game against the California Golden Bears on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) less

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Vince Young of the Texas Longhorns watches from the sidelines before a game against the California Golden Bears on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, ... more

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

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Hansen’s big night helps Cal knock off No. 11 Texas 50-43

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Cal marched down the field with its first possession, racking up 84 yards on six plays. Webb beat a double team with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Veasy. Texas answered with an 84-yard drive led by Charles Warren’s 25 rushing yards, including a four-yard scoring run.

The Bears got away with one. After failing to convert on a 4th-and-1 run from their own 34-yard line, the Bears limited Texas to a field goal and a 10-7 lead midway through the first quarter. With Buechele being tended to in the locker room, Swoopes led a run-heavy drive highlighted by Warren’s 12-yard bulldozing touchdown.

Cal generally did away with their running game as the first quarter ticked toward its end. Once they got the ball inside the 5-yard-line, however, they went back to the ground. It took three carries to go the final three yards, but Enwere finally punched it in to trim the Bears’ deficit to 17-14.

Buechele was back on the sideline for Texas’ next possession, but Swoopes stayed in at quarterback. He hooked up with Armanti Foreman on a 34-yard pass, and his twin brother, D’Onte Foreman finished the drive with a five-yard touchdown run.

Five plays after Chibuzo Nwokocha’s interception and 17-yard return, Cal cut the score to 24-21. A 38-yard pass to Hansen set up the score, and Enwere closed the drive with a one-yard pounce.

Buechele returned to the game for the first time since Texas’ first possession and seemingly hadn’t missed a beat. He connected on a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jacorey Warrick that put the Longhorns ahead 31-21 midway through the second quarter.

Stovall had a huge third-down conversion early in the drive and then capped the possession by a 29-yard touchdown catch that trimmed the Longhorns’ lead to 31-28. After rare consecutive stops, Brandon Jones blocked Dylan Klumph’s punt through the back of the end zone for a safety and a 33-28 lead with about 1½ minutes to play in the first half.

In an eventful final 90 seconds of the first half, Luke Rubenzer returned an interception to 32 yards to Texas’ 24-yard-line, and a play later Webb found Hansen in the corner of the end zone for a 35-33 lead - the Bears’ first advantage since the opening series of the game.

After stopping Texas on a game-high four consecutive possession, the Longhorns regained the lead on a one-play, 47-yard scamper by D’Onta Freeman. Webb got Cal’s next drive started with 17- and 28-yard passes to Hansen. Webb ran in the go-ahead touchdown from a yard out, and Hansen ran in the two-point conversion for a 43-40 lead with 10:45 remaining.

Trent Domingue, who missed who first two field-goal attempts of the night, drilled one from 35 yards to tie it 43-43 with 5:29 remaining and to set up a dramatic finish.